Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 12/19/25, 3:22 PM  by Erik Gibbs in NBA Picks

The Philadelphia 76ers travel to Madison Square Garden tonight to face the New York Knicks in a matchup that features two teams trending in very different but equally compelling directions. From a performance standpoint, both sides have shown clear strengths over recent weeks, setting the stage for a competitive Eastern Conference battle.

Philadelphia enters this game playing respectable basketball, winning four of its last six contests. While not dominant, the 76ers have been steady, particularly on the offensive end. They are averaging 116.9 points per game while shooting 45.6% from the field, numbers that place them firmly in the middle of the league offensively. Defensively, however, Philadelphia has been less convincing, allowing 116.1 points per game on 46.4% shooting. That narrow scoring margin explains why many of their games have come down to the final possessions.

Their most recent loss, a 120-117 defeat to the Hawks on Sunday, highlighted both sides of that equation. The offense was productive enough to compete on the road, but late defensive breakdowns ultimately cost them. Still, the 76ers benefit from a major scheduling edge tonight, having had five full days of rest to regroup and prepare.

New York, on the other hand, has been one of the league's hottest teams. The Knicks have won 11 of their last 12 games and an impressive 18 of their last 22 overall. Their offensive efficiency has surged during this stretch, averaging 121 points per game on 48.1% shooting. Just as important, they have paired that scoring with solid defense, holding opponents to 112.2 points per game on 46% shooting.